Medical Care

No proven treatment exists for Purtscher retinopathy that occurs after traumatic injury.

In patients with retinopathy due to systemic vasculitis, steroid therapy is theoretically beneficial.

Control of the underlying disease with other medications may be indicated.

Surgical Care

Provide surgical care as required for traumatic chest and head injuries that are associated with Purtscher retinopathy.

Consultations

Refer as indicated, based on the etiology of the retinopathy.

Activity

No restrictions are required, unless indicated by severe bilateral vision loss.

Prevention

Since blunt chest trauma is a common cause of Purtscher retinopathy, educate people to wear seat belts. This effort may reduce the risk of people being unrestrained in MVAs.

Further Outpatient Care

Further outpatient care is as indicated by the medical workup.

A retinal specialist or a general ophthalmologist should provide follow-up care to patients with Purtscher retinopathy until the condition is shown to be stable and does not require laser treatment for ischemic complications. Thereafter, the patient can be followed by a general eye care practitioner.

Further Inpatient Care

Further inpatient care is as indicated by the workup for trauma or systemic disease.

Medication

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Media Gallery

Characteristic fundus findings of Purtscher retinopathy. Multiple cotton-wool spots surround the optic nerve after blunt thoracic trauma.
Mild Purtscher retinopathy in a patient after blunt chest compression as an unrestrained driver in a motor vehicle accident. This patient presented with visual loss in the left eye and had unilateral disease. The fundus photograph shows a large cotton-wool spot along the inferotemporal arcade and more subtle microvascular injury between the disc and fovea in the central macula. Whitening of the central fovea is present. Visual acuity was 20/200 but returned to 20/30 after 6 weeks.
Fluorescein angiogram of a patient who sustained blunt chest compression as an unrestrained driver in a motor vehicle accident shows focal microvascular occlusion in the area of the cotton-wool spot. Mild venous leakage and staining is seen in the perifoveal capillary bed just beneath the central fovea. A small amount of fluorescein leakage is also seen beneath the fovea.
Purtscher-like retinopathy in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus with microvascular encephalopathy and retinopathy. Multiple cotton-wool spots of varying sizes and ages surround the optic nerve. A branch arterial occlusion is present along the supertemporal arcade with retinal whitening between the major artery and vein. Multiple occlusions are seen in arterial and venous trees with disruption of the blood columns.
Patient perception of visual deficits in an eye with Purtscher retinopathy

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Author

Edward Chaum, MD, PhD Margy Ann and J Donald M Gass Professor of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt Eye Institute; Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology and Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Edward Chaum, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Telemedicine Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Macula Society, Retina Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD Clinical Professor of Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steve Charles, MD Founder and CEO of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine

Disclosure: Received royalty and consulting fees for: Alcon Laboratories.

Chief Editor

Andrew G Lee, MD Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital; Clinical Professor, Associate Program Director, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine; Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Professor of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurological Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Clinical Associate Professor, University of Buffalo, State University of New York School of Medicine

Andrew G Lee, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Geriatrics Society, Houston Neurological Society, Houston Ophthalmological Society, International Council of Ophthalmology, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, Texas Ophthalmological Association

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: AstraZeneca; Bristol Myers Squibb; Horizon<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Horizon<br/>Received ownership interest from Credential Protection for other.

Additional Contributors

Russell P Jayne, MD Vitreoretinal Surgeon, The Retina Center at Las Vegas

Russell P Jayne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Society of Retina Specialists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.